Rugby Union: Wilkinson Set to Miss Six Nations Opener

Jonny Wilkinson's fitness coach today admitted that the player is almost certain to miss England's opening Six Nations clash against Scotland next month.

The Newcastle fly-half was named in Brian Ashton's first 33-man squad yesterday, but Steve Black has confirmed that the February 3 game at Twickenham is likely to come too soon for Wilkinson, who has not featured for the Falcons since suffering a lacerated kidney on November 3 against Bristol.

"I don't think Jonny will be ready for the Scotland game. It would be foolhardy to rush him back. He needs time to adjust to the playing environment. We need to get him back on to the field for Newcastle," said Black.

"This latest setback was a pure freak injury. A whack to the kidneys is a boxing injury. It's a part of the body that's difficult to protect and is vulnerable, even for world champion boxers. Jonny is fit and strong and his recovery levels are high. And he's had a lot of practice at recovering."

Despite the problems, Black says that the fly-half is making excellent progress in his recuperation. "I work one on one with Jonny every day - and he's determined, ambitious and in great nick," added Black. "He was very sore and uncomfortable following the injury, but the soreness has subsided now. A fit Jonny Wilkinson is a major bonus to the England squad."